Chester City Council met Jan. 22.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
I.CALL TO ORDER
The City Council of Chester, Illinois, met in regular session on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, in the Municipal Building, 1330 Swanwick Street. Mayor Tom Page called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
II.ROLL CALL
Present:Alderman Ray Allison; Alderman Robert Platt
Alderman Russ Rader; Alderman Donald R. Clark
Alderman Dan Ohlau; Alderman Daniel Geisen
Alderman Nancy J. Crossland; Alderman D. Michael Blechle
Absent:None.
III.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
IV.READING OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Alderman Crossland moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting and to approve them as prepared by the city clerk. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Rader, Clark, Allison, Platt, Crossland, Blechle, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
V.CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence was acknowledged:
•Memo from American Cruise Lines regarding new American Harmony ship
•Chester Area Christian Food Pantry Inc. newsletter dated January 9, 2019
•Beautification/Tourism Commission minutes dated November 15, 2018
•Wm. & Ellen Cohen Home Annual Report for 2018
•Chester Fire Department Christmas Party on January 26, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
VI.REPORTS
Mayor:
Mayor Page expressed his appreciation to the city workers for plowing snow and repairing the sewer main break.
City Clerk:
The city clerk presented an application for raffle licenses for Friends of Mary Help of Christians School. Alderman Crossland moved to issue the raffle license and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Clark, Platt, Rader, Ohlau, Allison, Crossland, Clark, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
The city clerk presented an application for raffle licenses for the Chester Community Golf Club. Alderman Allison moved to issue the raffle license and waive the fidelity bond required of the raffle managers. Alderman Clark seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Clark, Platt, Rader, Ohlau, Allison, Crossland, Clark, Geisen. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
VII.COMMITTEE REPORTS
Cemetery & Finance Committee (Chairman Platt):
The Cemetery and Finance Committee met this evening at 5:30 p.m. to review city bills, and found them to be in order for payment. Alderman Platt moved to approve payment of bills, subject to audit. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Clark, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Crossland, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Fire Department, Police Department & Public Safety Committee (Alderman Geisen):
Chairman Geisen advised that a Public Safety Committee meeting will be held after the council meeting.
VIII.PUBLIC DISCUSSION
IX.OLD BUSINESS
X.NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCE #1698 – PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY LOAN PROGRAM ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING LOAN AGREEMENT NON-HOME RULE ENTITY CITY OF CHESTER:
Attorney Kerkhover presented an Ordinance to the council which authorizes the city to borrow funds from the Illinois EPA’s Public Water Supply Loan Program. Attorney Kerkhover advised that a few minor revisions were made to the proposed Ordinance. After explanation of the revisions, Alderman Clark moved to pass the Ordinance with the proposed amendments. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Clark, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Crossland, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Resolution – Authorizing Representative:
Alderman Allison moved to pass a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the loan application forms for the Public Water Supply Loan Program. Alderman Platt seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Clark, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Crossland, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE # 1699 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 34-1-1 OF ARTICLE I OF CHAPTER 34 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS, RELATING TO THE STREET DEPARTMENT:
Alderman Platt moved to pass the Ordinance amending the duties and responsibilities of the Street Department. Alderman Geisen seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Clark, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Crossland, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1700 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 28-1-1, 28-1-5 AND 28-1-6 OF CHAPTER 28 OF THE REVISED CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF CHESTER, ILLINOIS, RELATING TO PARKS:
After Alderman Allison’s inquiry, the council discussed possible amendments to the proposed Ordinance relating to closing times of the parks. After a brief discussion, Alderman Clark moved to pass the Ordinance without any revisions. Alderman Crossland seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Clark, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Crossland, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Appointment – Park Superintendent:
Mayor Page recommended the appointment of Billy Belton as Park Superintendent. Alderman Allison questioned the reasoning for selecting Billy instead of the other candidate with 28 years of service who was recommended by the Chester Park Board. Mayor Page advised that Billy stood out in the interview and as head football coach has a great working relationship with the Chester School District. Alderman Allison responded by stating the other candidate has experience in three different departments and has experience operating heavy machinery. Alderman Clark stated that the hiring committee conducted interviews and selected the best person for the job not the person employed by the city the longest. After Alderman Allison’s inquiry, Mayor Page advised the park superintendent reports to the mayor and this council, therefore members of the park board shouldn’t be involved in the interview process. Discussion ensued. Mayor Page ended the discussion and asked the council for a motion to approve Billy Belton as Park Superintendent. Alderman Clark moved to approve the mayor’s appointment of Billy Belton and Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Clark, Ohlau, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: Alderman Allison. Absent: None. Alderman Crossland abstained from voting. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1701 – AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE SALARY OF THE PARK SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CITY OF CHESTER:
Mayor Page proposed a starting salary of $42,300.00 per year for the park superintendent position which is equal to the last appointed superintendent. Alderman Allison voiced disapproval of the salary and appointment. After Alderman Platt’s inquiry, Billy Belton stated that his coaching job will not interfere with his position as park superintendent. Alderman Clark moved to approve the salary of $42,300.00 beginning on February 15, 2019 for the park superintendent position. Alderman Blechle seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Clark, Crossland, Ohlau, Platt, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: Alderman Allison. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Executive Session – Minutes:
Alderman Clark moved to determine that minutes of previous Executive Sessions are still confidential and should not be made available to the public. Alderman Crossland seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Clark, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Crossland, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Executive Session – Verbatim Records:
Alderman Platt moved to destroy all verbatim records of Executive Sessions. Alderman Allison seconded the motion. UPON ROLL CALL: Ayes: Aldermen Rader, Clark, Ohlau, Allison, Platt, Crossland, Geisen, Blechle. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
Alderman Ohlau requested that the council be updated on any upcoming promotions or new hires. Mayor Page stated that he will be meeting with Superintendent Tim Crow about hiring a replacement employee at the water plant.
XI.ADJOURNMENT
At 6:27 p.m., Alderman Crossland moved to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Rader seconded the motion. VOTE: Ayes: Aldermen Ohlau, Rader, Clark, Allison, Platt, Crossland, Geisen, Clark. Nays: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.
http://www.chesterill.com/city-government/city-council-agendas/
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